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About Us

Lake House Arts is a not-for-profit trust dedicated to supporting arts, culture and heritage programmes in Auckland.

lake house arts

About Us

Operating as a charity since November 2000, Lake House Arts is a community of hundreds of artists and members who regularly participate in exhibitions and events. Classes and holiday programmes provide access to over 2000 enrolments per annum.

Hundreds of members and artists from the wider community regularly participate in Lake House Arts exhibitions and events.  Classes and holiday programmes provide access to over 2000 enrolments per annum.

Partnering with Auckland Council, the Devonport Takapuna Local Board and a variety of local and national  funding partners, Lake House Arts is one of the Top Five providers of Arts, Culture and Heritage Programmes in the Auckland Region, and welcomes over 65,000 visitors yearly. 

Three historic Takapuna/Devonport buildings, Lake House and two Fort Cautley Army Barracks make up Lake House Arts. Lake House Arts is a smoke-free, family-friendly, highly accessible public facility governed by a charitable trust.

Utilising six gallery spaces, five hirable studios , beautiful gardens and a popular cafe, Lake House Arts provides public access six days a week, and private after hours access 24/7 for  the community to experience exhibitions, events, classes, workshops, holiday programmes, tours and more.

Lake House Arts is a community facility supporting and presenting arts, culture, heritage and learning.

Become a member today

By joining our membership community you will get access to a range of exclusive benefits including discounts on all our arts, culture and heritage programmes while contributing to the well being of this historic house.

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Timeline

Our History

The history of this beautiful Victorian boarding house goes back well over 120 years.

During that time the property was the home of many colourful characters and stories. We think it’s particularly important to highlight some of the heroes along the way that recognised the historical significance of the home and helped make it the artistic and cultural hub it is today. 

It’s especially poetic that art played a direct role in the restoration of the property with a resident artist at the time, Tony Ogle, finding so much inspiration in the house that he organised an ‘end of an era’ art exhibition as a form of protest.

For more details check out the timeline below to see the full story.

Our Archives
1896
Lake House completed construction and served as both a family residence and a seaside boarding house at the northern end of Takapuna Beach.
1909
Renovations were completed on the property including a new 117 square meter floor featuring four additional bedrooms and a staircase, bringing the total area to 585 square meters. The building now offers 17 bedrooms.
1918
During the influenza epidemic it was briefly used as a hospital
1984
One of the tenants at the time‒Julia Mildren lobbied the Takapuna City Council to designate the property with a Category A historic rating as a distinctive example of a seaside Victorian/Edwardian boarding house.
1985
The property was then sold to developer Bob Green who successfully appealed this rating.
1995
The council restored protection for the heritage house. During this time the owner Bob Green was still attempting to sell the house to make room for apartments. In November 1995, a talented artist, Tony Ogle, who was a resident of the house, hosted an “End of an Era” art exhibition in the building. He had grown quite fond of the building during his stay and was motivated to do something about the plans to relocate it away from the North Shore.
1996
In March, a group of concerned citizens established the Coach House Trust. The trustees collaborated with lawyer Alex Witten-Hannah to secure an injunction that halted the house’s removal to South Auckland. During an emergency meeting of the North Shore City Council on June 8th, Mayor George Gair cast the deciding vote to grant Landowner Consent for the building’s relocation to the Barrys Point site.
1997
Grants from the ASB Charitable Trust and the Lottery Environment and Heritage Committee, along with fundraising efforts and volunteer contributions, facilitated the relocation, restoration, and refurbishment of the historic building.
1997
Grants from the ASB Charitable Trust and the Lottery Environment and Heritage Committee, along with fundraising efforts and volunteer contributions, facilitated the relocation, restoration, and refurbishment of the historic building.
2000
Lake House Arts officially opens on 19 November.

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Thank You to Our Community Partners

We rely on the generous support of our partners continue our mission to provide an accessible heritage facility, where vibrant and diverse community, arts and culture can flourish.
Let’s Connect!

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Get In Touch

Reach out by phone or fill out the form below and we will do our best to help you.

info@lakehousearts.org.nz

Lake House Arts Centre
37 Fred Thomas Drive,

Takapuna, Auckland 0622

027 486 4877

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Join our vibrant community by signing up to our mailing list so you can be the first to know about our exciting schedule of events, exhibitions and classes as soon as they are announced.

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Opening Hours

Gallery Hours
Mon – Fri: 9am – 3pm
Sat – Sun 10am – 2pm

Cafe Hours
CAFE RE-OPENS 13th JAN 2025 
Mon – Fri 10am – 2pm
Sat – Sun 10am – 2pm

Office Hours
Tue – Fri  9am – 3.00pm

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